Chapter 259: I See You Off

Chu Jing'tang and the others "admired" Tong Mingshan for taking the initiative, finding him quite courageous.

Eventually, the others dispersed to continue their search for the divine fire, leaving Tong Mingshan alone.

Only after Shi Chun explained the assassination details did Tong Mingshan fully grasp his true assignment.

As they parted, Shi Chun flipped his hand, revealing a Wind Scale, and asked, "Have you used one of these?"

"I used one when I was at Bailian Sect," Tong Mingshan replied.

"Take it," Shi Chun said. "If you're not familiar with it, find a place to practice first. Just make sure to move when you see the signal and follow the plan."

Tong Mingshan hesitated, wanting to ask what Shi Chun intended to do, but the leader had already refused to answer earlier. Understanding that secrecy was paramount for success, he ultimately held his tongue and flew off.

After seeing him off, Shi Chun extended a hand to Wu Jinliang, who immediately produced his own Wind Scale and tossed it over.

Shi Chun immediately used the Wind Scale to lift himself and Wu Jinliang into the air, beginning to circle the area in search of Feng Yaoyang.

Naturally, this was also to ensure he was seen by members of the Four-Cauldron Sect.

As he surveyed the vast land of magma, he also activated his right eye's special ability to scan the area.

When they first arrived, he had been so focused on finding demonic cult members in the crowd that he hadn't truly examined the magma region. Now, upon closer inspection, phantom-like reddish-orange mist surged beneath the light green material, moving like ocean waves, presenting a vast and awe-inspiring spectacle.

The sun overhead was orange-yellow, several times larger than a typical sun, and in the distance, four smaller suns seemed to float.

As they flew, figures from the Four-Cauldron Sect appeared on the ground. Disciples of the Four-Cauldron Sect, leaping through the magma, also looked up at them.

In the distance, a massive mound, resembling a colossal turtle shell, caught Shi Chun's attention. He maneuvered the Wind Scale to fly closer for a better look.

In the center of the mound was a giant magma spring, continuously spewing lava outwards. The diverging lava flows resembled cracks on a turtle shell, and occasionally, plumes of black smoke would emerge from the spring.

Shi Chun intently focused his right eye's special ability on the area beneath the mound. He vaguely perceived something wriggling deep within the surging reddish-orange mist. It was a deeper red and its outline suggested an animal of considerable size. Obscured by multiple blurry images, he couldn't clearly make out what it was.

Wu Jinliang, accompanying him, also noticed his unusual behavior. Glancing at the mound below, he asked, "What's wrong? Did you find the divine fire?"

Shi Chun shook his head slightly. "It doesn't seem to be the divine fire, but there appears to be a large monster deep beneath."

"A monster?" Wu Jinliang chuckled, reaching back to tap his large gourd. His eyes lit up. "I wonder if my Immobilization Spell can hold it?"

Shi Chun mused for a moment. "Forget it for now. The main task is more important. If it's something formidable, it could cause delays. We'll check it later."

With that, he resumed circling the area with the Wind Scale. It wasn't long before he located Feng Yaoyang and noted his general direction.

He didn't approach immediately, continuing instead to search and observe the magma region.

Although the area was quite large, the Wind Scale's speed allowed him to traverse it quickly. He circled the entire region, covering several dozen miles in every direction multiple times in a short period.

During this time, Xu Anchang even came chasing after him on a Wind Scale to inquire about the situation.

Unfortunately, after searching every inch of that desolate place, Shi Chun's right eye found no sign of the divine fire. It was, as expected, a fruitless search.

He then returned to find Feng Yaoyang. Upon locating him, Shi Chun handed the Wind Scale to Wu Jinliang to pilot, then leaped down from the air himself.

Wu Jinliang, meanwhile, flew off alone on the Wind Scale.

Shi Chun landed beside Feng Yaoyang and joined him in the search.

Feng Yaoyang, who had just landed on a patch of solid ground, immediately stopped, turned, and asked gravely, "Why are you following me?"

Shi Chun glanced at the Four-Cauldron Sect disciple accompanying Feng Yaoyang, feeling a bit perplexed. If he remembered correctly, this individual was also from the demonic path.

He replied as usual, "Nothing in particular. I just feel Brother Feng might have some misunderstanding about me, and I hoped we could clear things up."

Feng Yaoyang scoffed, "There's no misunderstanding to speak of, and nothing for us to discuss. Aren't you close with Xu Anchang? If you want to communicate, go talk to him."

The accompanying disciple remained a silent observer, offering no comments or opinions.

Shi Chun sighed. "I was going to say that I might have discovered the divine fire while circling the area earlier. I immediately came to find you with my findings, but... Since Brother Feng insists, then never mind. I have nothing more to say. I won't disturb you. Please carry on." He cupped his hands and turned to leave.

Feng Yaoyang stood dumbfounded. He didn't know what was happening; it felt like ever since encountering this group, he was constantly being humiliated, his pride almost entirely shattered. Yet, he willingly set aside his arrogance and urgently called out, "Wait!"

The disciple next to him also wore a hopeful expression.

Shi Chun stopped and turned. "I've heard about Brother Feng's proud and arrogant disposition," he asked. "What, do you need to scold me thoroughly before you're satisfied?"

Feng Yaoyang's Adam's apple bobbed. Speaking softly was truly uncharacteristic of him, but he managed to force a semblance of goodwill onto his face. His thin lips pursed repeatedly as he finally said, "Brother Shi... Chun, where is the divine fire you found?"

Shi Chun paused, then sighed. "Brother Feng, your 'use-them-when-needed, discard-them-when-not' attitude genuinely makes me uncomfortable. I don't believe I've ever offended you, and it seems this is our first meeting. Why do you hold such strong opinions of me?"

To learn about the divine fire, they first needed to talk. Whether Feng Yaoyang liked it or not, he had to lower his proud head and make an effort to appease Shi Chun.

Meanwhile, Wu Jinliang had already met Tong Mingshan, who was waiting at their rendezvous point.

Since Tong Mingshan was already waiting, it implied he was prepared, but Wu Jinliang, upon landing, still double-checked, "Have you thoroughly scouted potential escape routes in case of an unexpected situation?"

Tong Mingshan nodded. "All scouted. It's just the masked disguise; I couldn't find any fabric. Also, should I change the weapon I'm holding?"

"That's easy. Do you want a saber or a sword?" Wu Jinliang immediately rummaged through his Qiankun bag, finding all the various weapons Xia Fuli had stored there. He pulled out a saber and a sword for Tong Mingshan to choose from.

Tong Mingshan reached for the sword, but Wu Jinliang retracted it, offering him the saber instead. "The boss and I use sabers, which might leave saber wounds. You should use a saber too; it's just for show. Oh, and once you're done with it, throw the saber directly into the magma to sink."

Reluctantly, Tong Mingshan took the saber.

Wu Jinliang then produced a roll of black cloth. After a quick look around, he swiftly fashioned a makeshift masked disguise for Tong Mingshan on the spot, more accurately, he tied it on him.

Tong Mingshan subtly protested the crude craftsmanship. "Brother Wu, if you tie it like this, I can't even change it. If I wear this, anyone I meet will immediately know I'm an assassin."

Wu Jinliang tied the mask around Tong Mingshan's head from behind. "It's fine," he reassured him. "You'll come with me later. I'll fly high, and you'll fly low. I'll keep watch from above, and if I see anyone, I'll steer clear. You just follow beneath me, and you'll avoid detection. No need to worry about being discovered."

Having finished, he was about to throw the bundled cloth into the magma. He hesitated for a moment as he did so, recalling the hardships of his time in exile and wondering if it was too wasteful. But ultimately, he tossed it in, letting the magma incinerate it into black smoke and ashes.

Tong Mingshan, feeling the disguise on his body, noticed Wu Jinliang's actions and asked, "Brother Wu, you seem quite practiced at this. There's an art to it. This isn't your first time doing something like this, is it?"

"Not at all, first time in my life," Wu Jinliang said modestly. Then he reiterated, "When you see me circle the air three times, that means we've reached our destination. You can then lie in wait. Once you hear the commotion, you can move in and act. Your charge must be swift."

"Understood."

"Let's go."

The two then ascended on Wind Scales, one behind the other, proceeding exactly as Wu Jinliang had instructed.

After some searching from the air, they finally located Shi Chun, who was chatting with Feng Yaoyang.

Their conversation seemed quite amiable. Wu Jinliang grinned, thinking Feng Yaoyang wasn't as difficult to talk to as he'd imagined.

Feng Yaoyang and his two companions looked up at the sky and saw Shi Chun raise his hand, gesturing that everything was fine and signaling them to descend.

Receiving the signal, Wu Jinliang first surveyed the surroundings from the air to ensure no one was approaching. Only then did he circle the Wind Scale three times before descending. The stopper of the large gourd on his back was also pulled open by a burst of spiritual energy, now dangling from its chain.

As soon as he landed, Shi Chun immediately pointed in a direction. "Brother Feng, the divine fire is likely in that vicinity."

At these words, Feng Yaoyang and the other disciple immediately looked in that direction.

Wu Jinliang seized this opportunity. Fearing the illusory immobilization substance from his gourd wouldn't be enough for two Great Accomplishment realm cultivators, he flicked his middle fingers at them, increasing the dosage significantly.

Feng Yaoyang and his fellow disciple noticed the flicking motion behind them and were about to turn when they suddenly found their movements sluggish. Greatly alarmed, they stiffened in awkward positions, their frantic efforts to resist with their full cultivation proving useless.

An immobilization spell? The same thought flashed through both their minds.

Shi Chun, with a cold glance, raised his hand and drew his saber. "Brother Feng, with your arrogance and talent, I presume you disdain associating with our kind. As you wish, I shall send you on your way!"

He twisted and brought his saber down in a diagonal slash across Feng Yaoyang. Blood gushed forth as Feng Yaoyang was instantly cleaved into two halves, his blood sizzling and smoking on the ground.

With another flash of the saber, he swept away the other man's head. Simultaneously, he kicked the gushing corpse into the magma, letting it burn and send up thick plumes of smoke.

Shi Chun made no further moves on Feng Yaoyang's remains, leaving them where they lay. He then drew Feng Yaoyang's sword from its sheath and angrily slashed it towards Wu Jinliang.

Wu Jinliang, who had just corked his gourd, had already drawn his own great saber and parried the incoming sword strike.

A resounding crash echoed through the area.

Immediately, the two engaged in a rapid exchange of saber and sword strikes, with continuous booming sounds.

Soon after, a masked figure darted over, swinging a saber at the two of them.

Their blades clashed loudly once more.

Soon, a figure appeared swaying in the distance. Shi Chun, always vigilant, immediately called out, "Let's go!"

He threw the sword in his hand, and both he and Wu Jinliang shot into the air. Wu Jinliang then activated his Wind Scale, enveloping them both and rapidly carrying them away.

The masked figure also jumped, controlling a Wind Scale, and pursued them relentlessly.

Along the way, they encountered members of both the Mingshan Sect and the Four-Cauldron Sect. Wu Jinliang, upon seeing anyone, would immediately cast a spell and loudly shout, "Help me, quickly come and help me!"

Members of both the Mingshan Sect and the Four-Cauldron Sect immediately flew in pursuit upon seeing them, though not everyone possessed a Wind Scale.

Eventually, they finally encountered someone who possessed a Wind Scale. This person glanced back, heard the cries for help, and swiftly produced their Wind Scale to join the chase.

Their destination had been planned in advance. Wu Jinliang, flying out of the magma region on his Wind Scale, headed directly for a mountaintop, landing before the ten elders guarding the summit.

Beneath the massive iron pestle, the ten elders, seated cross-legged, didn't understand why these two individuals had suddenly arrived, only seeing them ducking behind them.

The masked pursuer, realizing the situation had changed, quickly veered off and flew away.

A short while later, the pursuing Four-Cauldron Sect disciples landed and asked Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, "What's going on?"

Shi Chun said grimly, "Someone tried to kill us. Feng Yaoyang has already been killed."

Seeing that the assassin had vanished, Wu Jinliang immediately pointed in the direction of their escape and shouted, "That's the culprit! Don't just stand there, go after him!"